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hi

there have been a couple of recent threads on this subject which should be of help

Thanks - I'm new to this site so still trying to find my way around!  Am sure I will find the information soon.

Hi

As mentioned there are a few threads knocking around but we do the following:

We have a fan heater that we use as and when.

We put a picnic blanket or similar under the airbed and a fitted sheet or blanket on top.

We invested in gd quality sleeping bags and also take a throw or duvet when its really chilly. Some threads even recommend wearing layers at night and a hat.

It also pays to get ready for bed while its still really warm so you arent undressing and loosing bodyheat once it gets really cold.

We also have picnic blankets dotted around the tent like a tent carpet.

Dont know if this will help but if you use the search on this forum you'll generally find what you're looking for.

 here,on here http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=3&TopicID=171156&get=last#2609668

or here again on here.

 http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=6&TopicID=171078&PagePosition=2&showActive=8&ReturnPage=Active

For the 12 month old, try & get some thick fleece pyjamas with feet - you can pop a pair of socks on them, with the fleece jammies over (and maybe some snug jammies underneath). 

You might also want to get a child's sleeping bag or a grobag for them - although this only worked with one of ours (the other one resolutely chooses to be cold!)

I camp in the winter when it's very cold and although I now have a woodburner in my tent, for many years I went with no heating at all.  Here are my tips:

It might sound stupid but there are two main things to insulate yourself from:

1 - the air around you

2 - the ground.

Campbeds are not good for this as they allow cold air to circulate underneath your body.

A good sleeping bag is important.  If money's tight, army surplus British Army Arctic Down and Feather Bags will keep you warm down to minus 30 ish and you can pick them up for 20 - 30 quid!

For little ones, use an adult bag and tie a belt around the bottom to make it smaller - saves you having to buy new bags as they grow.

No matter how good your sleeping bag, you will never be warm if you're not insulated from the ground.  Thermarest are very good.  They really do make a big difference. Failing that use wool.  Woollen blankets on the ground beneath airbed/thermarest will see you right.  Cardboard is also very good (not very luxurious tho!).  I often take a futon matress - very bulky, but if you have space, you get a great nights sleep.

A woolley hat is essential - most heat loss is through your head.  Thermal underwear (longjohns etc) instead of pyjamas.

Hot water bottles are easy to take with you and get the sleeping bag nice and toasty.

Another trick is to eat fat before going to bed (not lard!  something nice like butter on crumpets etc)  Eating fat before you sleep makes your body produce more internal warmth - this is used in survival in Arctic etc.

Failing all of that, buy yourself a Black Cat or get ehu and some sort of electric heater.  (Not the way I like to camp tho)

Hope this helps.

Maceman

hi, welcome to the site.

As mentioned above layering is a must, lots of small layers as if you do get warm you can take a layer off.

With my LO who is now two I put him in a vest, PJ's, socks, fleecey all in one with feet on and a dressing gown. If it's really cold he also wears a hat. I also put hot water bottles in the sleeping bags. It is also important as earlier mentioned to have blankets underneath the air beds and I also put a blanket on top of the bed and then the sleeping bag.

When very cold we also take a king sized duvet to put on top of us on top of the sleeping bags. Also have a nice warm drink before bed.

Hope this helps

I have gave this tip many times in the past and can't find anything to beat it. Get a hold of the thin white underlay that is used under laminate flooring and put one or two layers below your airbed.As others have also said put a fleece blanket or similar on top of your airbed (we use a fitted double sheet which keeps it in place).Once your in your sleeping bag you'll be fine and toasty in cold weather.

As a test go into B+Q or other diy store and find the underlay,it comes in rolls and is featherweight.Put your hand against it and feel the warmth it generates....just by touch.